The party must appoint a sheriff following the Nov. 6 Ohio Supreme Court decision to remove George T. Maier. The court ruled that Maier did not meet the legal qualifications to hold the position at the time he was appointed in February. Specifically, Maier had served as a peace officer in the last four years but not in a full-time capacity as required.

The court returned Timothy Swanson to the position. Swanson, who plans to retire, was named interim sheriff in January by county commissioners because health issues prevented then-sheriff-elect Michael McDonald from taking office. McDonald died earlier this year.

Swanson asked the Supreme Court to oust Maier, claiming he did not meet the requirements of the job. Maier previously worked as the safety-service director for the city of Massillon and as the assistant director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Maier will seek the appointment again. He is currently working as a full-time sheriff’s deputy in Harrison County in an effort to meet the legal requirements.

Swanson’s attorney Greg Beck plans to ask the Supreme Court to order the party to meet and name a new sheriff from the two candidates who met the qualifications when the committee met in February. Those candidates are Lt. Louis Darrow, a Democrat, and Hartville Police Chief Larry Dordea, a Republican.

Party Chairman Randy Gonzalez on Friday notified more than 200 members of the central committee about the meeting. The committee will cast two votes, according to his letter: The first to consider whether the applicants meet the qualifications to be sheriff under Ohio Revised Code, and a second to make the appointment.

Volunteers from the Stark County Board of Elections will count the vote. Gonzalez has called for a “smooth, productive and respectful” meeting.

“For the maintenance of order and security, off-duty police officers will be present,” he wrote. “Persons who are disruptive to the important business of this meeting are subject to removal.”